Twin Oaks FC U13's V Old Coulsdon Colts
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31st Aug 2008 CLICK TO SPONSOR |
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Twin Oaks FC U13's
v
Old Coulsdon Colts
Thunder and lightning was a concern, so much so that I decided to bring two umbrellas as I was concerned that Health and Safety would object to a tent just in case an act of God should wipe out the whole team.
After recent games in which we have been playing older teams and also without a full squad to choose from it was nice to have 14 players available and I think it showed in our performances today. With the addition too of Connor playing at centre half who gave us a little more pace at the back those around him started to play with more confidence. Those who joined him at the centre Ryan, Jason and Sam R all performed excellently.
In the first game and on the smallest pitch, and in the first half, even with an early headed goal from Ellias which looped over the goalkeeper we were competing strongly but met with stiff resistance against Wickham. I think that in the first half we were matched by them but our defence stayed strong. In the second half we became more dominant but were restricted by the size of the pitch. The game was settled late on again with Ellias carrying the ball from left to right across the box, searching for an opening and sending an arrow like shot from the edge of the area past the keepers left hand.
The second game against our hosts, Old Coulsdon Colts, was an easier affair and it did not take long before Louis slipped a ball into Tom’s path who outpaced the opposition defence and slid the ball low passed the keepers left hand. Our second goal was more reminiscent of an American Football kick for goal. Tom and Liam from the second half kick off teed up Elliott who took advantage of the short pitch by hitting a shot from half way which dropped over the keeper and under the bar for definitely the strangest and possibly best goal of the day. The third goal was a more conventional although no less well taken effort from Liam who out paced the left back and struck a shot passed the keeper from the right hand side of the area.
Our final game in the group stage was against Darwin . Once again we performed excellently even with more positional changes. Ryan enjoyed a break from his defensive duties to play up in attack. We produced a significant number of chances and continued to win the challenges from front to back, pass the ball crisply and not panic when in possession. In fact so much did Ryan enjoy his change of position that he scored two excellent goals.
We had to wait a little while for our semi-final against Chipstead which was on the largest pitch. I was concerned that we might be caught as we were by balls over the top of our defence as we had been earlier in the week and so it came to pass as we got caught with two early goals by the pace of the opposition centre forward. We fought back and particularly in the second half actually dominated. The opposition manager was concerned as he was standing close by and commented upon our passing and movement which was music to my ears!
Both James and I were really pleased with the performances all day, even with how we fought back in the semi final although in defeat. From our defence which improved significantly in terms of strength, mobility and confidence, through to the midfield who worked hard and passed quickly and accurately, supporting at both ends of the pitch, to the attack who again worked hard, scored goals and didn’t just turn into the opposition but looked for support to come through.
We are now very close to the start of the season and we should all be in a very positive frame of mind and raring to go. I know James and I cannot wait for the first game at Greenway.
Results
Group Stage
Twin Oaks 2 (Ellias2) Wickham 0
Twin Oaks 3 (Tom, Elliot, Liam) Old Coulsdon Colts 0
Twin Oaks 2 (Ryan) Darwin 0
Semi Final
Twin Oaks 0 Chipstead 2